Floe Water Drainage System – has the industry talking
Burst pipes, broken components and stagnant water in boats could now be a thing of the past, with the market launch of the newly patented Floë Water Drainage System from the Northern Ireland based APT Innovations. With its debut at the NEC’s Caravan and Boat Show, it has been a tremendous talking point throughout the industry.
The device simply works by connecting one end to the water system by means of a retrofit adapter fitted inside the boat and the other end is connected either to a footpump or a small 12v car tyre inflator compressor, available from any autoparts store.
Jason Paul, the Managing Director of APT tells us about his reasons for introducing the novel device for boats, “I had developed the system originally for our own static caravan, as It was after we were caught out with a burst pipe a few years back the idea came to me.
I wanted to drain our own van without having to pay anyone else and also use it through the winter months, so this meant being able to drain down every time we used it. The main premise was simply, how do we get air into a water system and eventually the answer was Floë.
Discussions with the Inland Waterways revealed that boats also had big problems with blown joints and broken taps and pumps etc, so we created a kit to suit. It was only after it was created, that we realised that it was great for removing the stale water during the season as well”
The idea is actually very simple, but then most good ideas are. Surprising that no one had thought of it before, but then most companies have been busy trying to get water into the boats, I guess it took an owner with a problem The general principle is that, when water has been shutoff or removed from a water system, the residual water will lie in pipes stagnating and potentially freezing. This can only be removed using a means other than water to push it out of the pipes.
The Floë system introduces slightly compressed air to the water system and it’s this pressurised air that will push all of the trapped water out. No need for any outside assistance or having to pay for expensive apparatus.
How this is carried out, is again quite straightforward. By shutting of the water tank supply and turning off all taps inside, the water system is effectively sealed air and water tight. To pressurise the system, either manually pump or turn on the compressor until 15psi has been reached. Once any tap is opened, the air will want to escape, but once opened, the pressurised air will push any water out in front of it. This process of pressurise, open, close and repressurise is then repeated for all hot and cold taps and outlets.
Within one month of launch, Floë was in the hands of hundreds of customers throughout the UK and Ireland and is growing exponentially every day. It has been field tested by the National Caravan Council (NCC), Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS), the Caravan Club and the Camping and Caravan Club, all with a resounding success, all of whom agree that, the best time to start using this system is during the season to become comfortable with it in preparation for winter use. An added bonus is of course, is that it can be used during the season to remove stagnant water
So what about the price? Well the Boat Kit complete with the Floë Water Drainage System ranges from £33.49 and can be bought from most good chandlers and dealerships around the UK and Ireland. Although the kit is designed for DIY installation, most dealers will be able to fit at a small cost. Not a bad price if compared to burst pipe or tap damaged by frost, that will set you back £150 to replace.
SOME BACKGROUND
Reason for Device
Jason Paul has been a static caravan owner for 4 years. Been Caravanning for 35 years
Device created as a result of a burst pipe incident at caravan
Wanted to winterise van personally to save money and do repeatedly to use van through Winter
Benefits
Remove water in preparation for winter, to prevent pipes from freezing
Remove stagnant water through the season and reduce risk of infection from diseases such as legionnaires
Costs
Statics, lodges and boats – Floë Device £23.99
Touring Caravans – Truma Pistol, Crystal 2 and Whale adapters £20.99
Motorhome – Retro-fit kit £27.00
Boat Kit – £33.49
For draining down the general idea is
When water has been shutoff or removed from a water system, the residual water will lie in pipes stagnating and potentially freezing. This can only be removed using a means other than water to push it out of the pipes. This system shall introduce air to the water system and compress to the same pressure as a running tap. This pressurised air will push all of the trapped water out of a water system, without having to pay someone to do it, or pay for expensive apparatus
To setup,
one end of device fits to an
Static Caravan or Boat – Outside tap or washing machine type fitting
Touring Caravan – Whale or Truma Adapter
Motorhome – Specific Retro-fit kit
The other end fits to a
Footpump suitable for any car tyre or
Inexpensive 12volt tyre inflator
The procedure involves
Turning off or disconnecting the water supply to the caravan and turning off all taps inside to seal the system
To pressurise the system, either manually pump or turn on the compressor until 15psi has been reached for touring caravans and motor caravans, or 30psi for static caravans and boats. Once any tap is opened, the air will want to escape, but when opened, the pressurised air will push water out of water pipe. This process of pressurise, open tap and release should be repeated for all taps and outlets
Testing
Within one month of launch, Floë was in the hands of hundreds of customers throughout the UK and Ireland and is growing exponentially every day. It has been field tested by the National Caravan Council (NCC), Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS), the Caravan Club and the Camping and Caravan Club, all with 100% success.
